Paranormal hunting meets a practical walking tour. On this 2-hour New Orleans investigation, you use a real EMF meter and cover the French Quarter on foot with a guide who keeps it human and manageable.

I love how the tour moves fast into specific spooky stops, including a mass burial ground reputation tied to cold spots and orbs. I also love that the guiding style stays professional, and on nights led by Ashli the storytelling energy makes the whole walk feel like a guided case file, not a mumble-jumble ghost show.

The main drawback is that it is still entertainment, so there is no guarantee you will catch paranormal activity, and the schedule is strict, so being late can mean you miss the start.

Key things to know before you go

• Real EMF meter readings are part of the experience, not just theater.
• French Quarter to Jackson Square route, covering many stops across the Vieux Carre area.
• Optional to-go cocktails during breaks, plus a no-pressure approach if you do not want bar time.
• Small group size (up to 28) helps the guide keep the flow.
• Photos are encouraged but audio and video recording are not allowed.
• Public sidewalks only, no entry into private property.

Starting at the courtyard gate near Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

You meet on Bourbon Street at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar, 941 Bourbon St. Important detail: the tour does not meet inside the bar, so plan to be outside at the gate and ready to check in a few minutes early.

The tour ends around Jackson Square, so it is convenient if you want to continue walking, grab a late snack, or fold it into a normal French Quarter night. Tickets are mobile, and confirmation comes at booking, which is helpful because you can pull it up quickly on your phone.

Why this tour is a good first taste of New Orleans haunting

This is pitched as an easy on-ramp for people who are curious but not sure how paranormal tours work in practice. You cover the world-famous French Quarter, then shift toward Jackson Square, and the guide links each stop to the idea of what investigators try to notice.

The “investigation” tone matters because it shapes how you pay attention. You are not just hearing generic spooky tales, you are moving through the neighborhood like you are checking evidence, then getting your head around what signals you might look for on the street.

Using an EMF meter in the real French Quarter air

One of the tour’s strongest draws is the EMF meter Ghost/Paranormal Detector being used during the walk. That detail matters because it gives the night a concrete structure, even if you are coming at this from a skeptical or curious angle.

You should also know this is not a lab and the guide is not promising anything. Still, having a real device in hand can change the vibe from purely story-based to “let’s see what happens here,” especially at spots described as cold-spot locations.

Stop 1: The French Quarter mass burial ground stop

The first stop is described as a mass burial ground, a place with a reputation for cold spots, apparitions, and orbs that people report feeling or seeing. When a tour starts here, you are immediately in the emotional register the guide wants, which helps you settle into the theme without wasting time.

Practically, you are outdoors and walking between sensations and stories. If you are expecting a jump-scare experience, you might be disappointed, but if you like the slower build of attention and atmosphere, this kind of opening fits well.

Stop 2: Jackson Square and the big walk across the Vieux Carre

From Jackson Square, the tour framework expands into a wider sweep. You visit over a dozen locations across the roughly 78-block Vieux Carre area, and the route is described as taking in places most people would not think to look at.

Expect a mix of types of places in the narration, including haunted houses, apartments, hotels, streets and sidewalks, balconies, galleries, and even churches. The point is not just “where people say it is haunted,” it is also how the guide turns urban geography into an investigative map.

What the guide actually does with all those stops

A good paranormal walk depends on pacing and storytelling clarity, and this one is built that way. The guide leads the way and keeps you together, because the tour is timed and needs to stay on schedule through the old, uneven sidewalks.

The tour also includes safety and group rules that shape your experience. You should plan to stay with the group, because you are not meant to wander off for solo photo stops, and that keeps the tour from turning into a chaotic street party.

Bar breaks, to-go cocktails, and staying on schedule

In between investigation points, you get time to take a breath and reset. There is an optional stop to purchase to-go cocktails along the route, which can be a fun way to keep the night festive without forcing you into a sit-down bar.

That said, bar stops can change the rhythm. Some bars may be busy, and waiting inside can stretch the walking time, since the tour duration can run up to about 2 hours depending on these pauses.

If you want to use paranormal gear, read the equipment rules

You can use paranormal equipment during the tour, but you have to check it out with staff at the beginning if you want to request it. The equipment is tracked, and there is a fee listed for missing, lost, or damaged items, so treat it like borrowed camera gear, not a toy.

Because the equipment process needs your info, arriving on time matters even more. If you are hoping to try the devices, be ready to check in early so the gear handoff does not cut into your involvement.

Group size, walking pace, and who this fits best

The tour runs with a maximum of 28 people, which is a key number for how personal the night can feel. With a group that size, you can still hear the guide clearly while staying in motion through multiple stops.

The pace is described as moderate, and that is exactly what you want for this kind of itinerary. If you do not do well on uneven streets for long stretches, wear solid shoes and expect real walking time, not a slow stroll.

This tour is also offered in English, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, which helps if you plan your night out and do not want to deal with parking.

Reviews are mixed, so plan for the two common problems

I found the feedback theme fairly consistent: the guide experience can be excellent, but the outcome can depend on logistics and equipment condition. One standout positive example names Ashli as an exuberant guide who kept the stories lively, with a guest describing a real chill at one spot and enjoying how the night felt less rushed when the group was smaller.

On the flip side, two issues show up in a couple of experiences. In one account, the tour did not start when expected, with the guest saying they arrived early and could not reach anyone afterward. In another, the detectors that participants expected to use were not working because the equipment had been dropped.

You cannot control either of those situations, but you can lower your odds of being stuck on the wrong foot. Double-check you are at the correct meeting point on Bourbon Street at the courtyard gate, and arrive early enough to get oriented before departure time. If something feels off, use the contact route tied to your booking before the scheduled start rather than waiting until the tour time has already passed.

Price and value: is $35 worth it for a 2-hour paranormal walk?

At $35 per person for about 2 hours, this is positioned as an entry-level New Orleans paranormal investigation. That pricing makes sense if you want a structured, guided night that mixes a walking tour with EMF-style curiosity and a focused route through the French Quarter area.

Where the value comes in is the combination: you pay for a guide and you get a planned set of stops, plus a real device being used. If you try to do this on your own, you might find stories, but you will likely spend your time figuring out where to go and how to interpret what you see, rather than letting the guide lead.

Should you book this New Orleans paranormal investigation tour?

Book it if you want your first taste of a French Quarter ghost-style walk with a professional guide, multiple themed stops, and a real EMF meter used during the night. It is also a good pick if you like walking through neighborhoods and getting street-level stories tied to specific places, with time to take a break and, optionally, grab a to-go drink.

Skip it or set expectations low if you are treating it like a guaranteed paranormal encounter. This tour is for entertainment, and there is no promise you will witness anything supernatural, plus the schedule is strict about departure and staying with the group. If that is okay with you, you will probably enjoy the guided pace and the chance to explore the Vieux Carre area after dark.

FAQ

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans. The tour concludes in the Jackson Square area.

How long is the tour?

It is listed at about 2 hours, and it can run from roughly 1 hour to 2 hours depending on things like time spent waiting inside bars.

What does the tour include besides the guide?

The tour includes a professional local guide, and the activity uses an EMF meter during the investigation.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase along the route, and there is also an optional to-go cocktail stop at your own expense.

Do you go into private locations?

No. The tour is held on public property and there is no entry into private property.

Can I record video or audio during the tour?

No. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour, though photos are encouraged.

Is the tour a guaranteed paranormal experience?

No. It is for entertainment purposes only, and there is no guarantee you will encounter paranormal activity during the tour.